Pediatric Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

Pediatric patients are more prone to trauma than adults. Trauma is one of the most common causes of death in children. Their small and fragile bodies, big organs relative to their bodies, are the major causes of injury in children. Their body surface area is relatively larger than adults, which makes them vulnerable to trauma. A higher percentage of the children admitted to emergency departments need the help of anesthesiologists in the management of airway, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, maintenance of hemodynamic stability, transfusion, management of coagulopathy, hypothermia, pain, and monitorization. Serious abdominal trauma is seen in 5–10% of multiple traumas and 25% of blunt abdominal trauma in children. Despite improvements in emergency diagnostics and evaluation, controversy still exists regarding the optimal assessment and management of pediatric trauma patients with abdominal trauma. It can be difficult to accurately describe the major abdominal traumas and symptoms that occur in children. The most important factor in accurately detecting injuries that may occur due to abdominal trauma in this age group is high suspicion. Creating a targeted treatment strategy by understanding the mechanism of injury with a detailed and careful history and physical examination may be the basic step in saving life in these patients. This chapter is aimed to discuss the management of abdominal trauma in pediatric patients.